A senior official says he is ready to give up his civil service status if required under whatever system of appointment is adopted to increase accountability.
Secretary for Commerce and Industry Chau Tak-hay said: 'Of course, it depends on whether or not Mr Tung [Chee-hwa] wants me on his team. If I have the option, yes, certainly, I would be prepared to do that [leave the civil service].'
In his Policy Address last week, the Chief Executive announced plans to consider ways of establishing a 'comprehensive system of public accountability' under which top officials would be held responsible for the outcome of their policies.
Most serving principal officials are civil servants hired on pensionable terms. As such, they execute policies arrived at collectively and can be disciplined only if they make serious mistakes.
'In my own mind, I have known for two or three years the system would have to be changed,' said Mr Chau. 'With the politicisation of the job of the Chief Executive . . . civil servants at the top can't go on saying we are politically neutral. We are helping the Chief Executive develop and implement policy programmes and he's a political figure.'
It is likely that some positions could be filled from the private sector. Mr Chau acknowledged that suitable candidates for his job could probably be found outside the civil service.
